Window cornice



K. R. BIXBY WINDOW CORNICE Aug. 29, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 26, 1958 FIG. 5

FIG-4 FIGS KENNETH RBIXBY INVENTOR.

TORNEY.

K. R. BIXBY WINDOW CORNICE Aug. 29, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1958 KENNETH R. BIXBY INVENTOR.

TTORNEY.

United States Patent F 2,998,062 WINDOW CORNI'CE Kenneth R. Bixby, 485 E. Losey St., Galesburg, Ill.

- Filed Aug. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 757,354

10 Claims. (Cl. 160-39) The present invention relates generally to window cornices and the like and is more particularly concerned with such devices wherein means is provided to receive decorative covering material.

The object and general nature of this invention is the provision of a decorative window cornice having means assuring that the cover material may be maintained taut and neat appearing at all times, yet may readily be re moved for cleaning, replacement and the like.

Another important feature of this invention is the provision of a window cornice structure wherein means is provided for the accommodation of a top closure plate or dust stop or of a plate type support for an associated indirect lighting lamp and associated appurtenances. Another feature is the provision of a lamp support that is adjustable and so arranged that it can be placed with the lamp directing light upwardly or downwardly, as desired.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred structural embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from the window side of the cornice.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing the interconnection between the main and end members of the window cornice.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1, illustrating the way in which the decorative covering material is fastened to the main member of the cornice of this invention.

a FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section, similar to FIG. 3, showing the cover secured in taut relation.

FIG. 5 is a view of the bracket support.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the cover securing clips.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of dust stop plate or lamp support, the same being adjustable in length.

-FIG. 8 is a section showing a modified form of bracket, with a lamp supported on the underside of the support plate.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, showing the plate in a lower position with the lamp directing light upwardly.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the cornice of this invention comprises supporting structure that includes a main section 10 made up of three telescoping parts 11, 12 and 13, and end sections 15. The main section 12 is in the form of a sheet metal member having a flat vertical face 21 with an upper marginal section 22'that includes a downwardly and inwardly angled portion 23 and a lower marginal section 24.

The upper marginal section 22 also includes a generally flat inner portion 25, and the lower marginal section 24 includes'an upturned edge 26 and a flat portion 27. The associated portions 12 and 13 are of the same construction and hence the same reference numerals have been applied. It will be noted that the intermediate portion 12 is slightly smaller in vertical dimension so that the outer sections 11 and 13 embrace the ends of the center section 12. If desired, the end sect-ions may be arranged within the center section. The sections 11, 12 and 13 may be considered as a main member to the ends of which are connected the end members 15. The downwardly and inwardly angled portion 23 2,998,062 Patented Aug. 29,- 1961- is joined to the upper edge of the outer face 21'by a small horizontal portion 28.

The end sections .15, only one of which is shown in FIG. 2, are made substantially like the main member 10 and the corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals that are employedin FIG. 2 but with the suflix a added. At the point of juncture between the main and end members, the downwardly and inwardly angled portions 23 and 23a are beveled or angled, as indicated at 23b, so that when the main and end members are assembled, there is sufficient space s between the adjacent end of the horizontal portion '27 and a flange 29 on the outer end of section 13 to receive the forward or outer end of the associated end member 15, as will be clear from FIG. 2. When so connected, the flat sections 25 and 25a overlap and are apertured to receive a fastener, such as a sheet metal screw 31. Also, when the parts 12 and 15 are assembled the lower marginal port-ion 24a of end member 15 overlaps the section-24 of member 12, the edge portion 26 thereof being cut oflf, as at 3-2, to provide for these'overlapping portions. The latter are apertured to receive fastener means in the form of a sheet metal screw 33.

The inner or rear portions of the end members 15 have an inwardly turned flange 36 that carries one or more keyhole slots 37 that are adapted to receive screws by which the end members may be secured to an ad! jacent wall or window casing W v(FIG. 5). To reenforce the above wall connection I provide one or more supporting brackets 40, best shown in FIG. 5. The bracket 40 includes an attaching section 41 and a cornicereceiving section 42. The section 41 is in the form of an angle having a plurality of openings to receiving fastening screws 43 or the like, by which the bracket may be fixed to the wall W. The upper leg of the sec.- tion 41 is slotted and receives a bolt 45 that extends through a similar slotted portion of the valance receiving section 42. The latter is also generally of angle configuration but in the upper slotted portion 46 is formed an angled section 47 that conforms to the portion 23, 25, 28 of the member 12, whereby the bracket portion 47 securely supports the cornice in the proper position, this action being augmented by a depending bracketportion 48. The position of the bracket v40 is shown-in dotted lines in FIG. 2. I

The cornice structure of this invention is particularly adapted to receive a decorative cover 50 that maybe any suitable fabric or other flexible material. Also, to give the material 50 a padded eifect I use a suitable cushion of foam rubber 51 that has inherent resilient compressibility, making use of this characteristic to easily and conveniently secure the cover 50 in position.

Referring first to FIG. 3, the lower edge 53 of th cover 50 is turned back over the lower upstanding edge 26 and then spring clips 54 are applied so as to firmly grip the material and hold it in place, the clips 54 being so constructed and arranged that the wing portions 55 and 56 are biased for gripping action. The clips 54 have projections 58 that enables the operator to secure a better grip on the clips for inserting or removing them, as required. Other clips may be used, such as clips made of plastic, for example.

After the cover has been attached to the lower edge 26 it is then brought upwardly around the foam rubber pad 51 and the upper portion of the cover is then passed over the upper marginal portions 23 and 25, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3, and the edge of the cover is then folded over the edge of the fiat section 25 and brought under the latter. Clips 54 are then applied. The attachment of the cover is completed by pressing the clips 54 toward the angled section 23, which has the result of tightening the cover as the upper portion is brought downtothe position shown in FIG. 4. In thus tightening thecover 50 the foam rubber pad or cushion 51 is compressed, whereby the resiliency of the pad 51 actsto maintain the cover in taut condition. By re: moving-the clips 54 it is a simple'matter to remove the cover 50, as for cleaning, replacement or the like. The flatsectiOns-ZS' and 25a provide a very convenient support fora plate- P, FIG. 1, that is dimensioned to fit snugly between the angled sections 23, 23a and the adjacent wall orother support, resting on the flat secand 25a. 1 The plate P may be used simply as a duststop" or cover,- or 'it' rnaybe used as a support for an-iridirecflighting unit 60 that may be of any convenient for-m;- such as one -or' more fluorescent tubes with associated starters swit'ches and the like. oramarrgun cover material Sllis brought around end rnemb'e'rs, 1'5 and fastened to the edges of the flange-'36 and theedges 26a but the foam rubber pad is cut'so a's'to stop at the flange 36, so that the end members rnay' be connected to the associated wall or other support by fasteners that extend through the keyhole slots 37 and through only the material 50, not the foam rubber pad.

In theplate'P is shown as a single piece, and tlier'e'foreit must be cutto fit after the cornice has been adjusted, asshown in FIG. 1. However, as a' modified formof this invention, I have shown an adjustable plate 1 in FIG. 7. The plate P is shown by way of illustration as made up of a pair of sections 61 and 62 each having edge flanges63 and" 64 angled as shown The part is dimensioned so as to fit telescopically within the other part 61 in slidable relation.

FIGS. 8 and 9 Show a modified form or bracket-structure. Referring first to FIG., 8, the bracket 66 comprises fanattaching section 67 having a short horizontalupper leg 68 and a longer lower leg 69 that is slotted to receive an adjusting bolt 71. The bracket 66 also includ'es" a cornice receiwingsection 72 that is provided a longer lower, leg 74 which is slotted to receive the adjusting bolt 71. The legs- 69 and 74- normally overlap and, are fixed in'a position of adjustment by the bolt 71. vThe cornice-receiving section 72 also includes a" relatively short upper leg- 76 that is join'ed to the vertical portion of the section 72 by an upwardlyangledpart 77' that serves the. same purpose as the section 47- described above. v 1 I l -"he plate P may. serve as asirnple dust stop if desired, but'itmay also be'used to support alarnp 80. As shown in FIG. 8, the lamp isdisposable ina positionbetween the short legs 68 and 76 being passed between these parts when the plate P is applied to the. supporting brackets'at their upper portions, between the angled portion Tjand the wall W. In this position light from the lamp 80 is directed downwardly onto the window drapes or curtains. As shown in' FIG. 9, the plate P may rest on the lower legs 69 aindJ74, which disposes the lamp 80 in a position to direct light upwardly. In this case the flanges'63'and 64' are at thevlower side of the plate/P so fthat the latter clearsithelboltsfllz The lamp 80 is conventional' and may readily be attached to either side of theplate P V 'Having described myinventiomwhat I claim and desiretosecure'by Letters Patent is: 1. Awindow cornice comprising'a sheet metal member having a generally flat outer face and upper and lower marginal sections, each extending laterally inwardly of said member, the lower marginal section having an liptiiined edge generally parallel to and extending up- .yvardly in generally parallel relation with respect to the .main body of said" member, the upper marginal section having a downwardly and inwardly angled portiontermigrating-in an inner substantially flat portion, a flex- ;ible: decorative cover engaged over saidupturned' edge and extending across said outer face and across said downwardly and inwardly angled portion and then around and in contact with both faces of said inner flat portion, and cover tensioning means comprising one or more parts having a pair of fiat wing portions embracing said inner flat portions and biased to move toward each other so as to press portions of said cover toward both faces of said inner flat portion, movement of said cover tensioning parts toward the juncture of said downwardly and inwardly angled portion "and said flat portion serving a to stretch said cover while the marginal portions of the same are held against both faces of said flat portions.

2. A window cornice comprising a sheet metal member having an outer face and upper and lower marginal sections, the lower having an upturned portion and the upper having an inwardly and downwardly angled portion terminating in a substantially flat portion disposed generally perpendicular to the plane of said outer face, a flexible cover extending over said outer face and over the edges of said marginal sections, means fixing the lower edge of said cover to said lower upturned portion, and a plurality of generally fiat spring clips passed over the inner edge of said flat portion and gripping the edge of the cover at upper and lower sides of said flat portion, said clips being dimensioned so that, when applied over the edge of said flat portion, the clips extend to the juncture of'said inwardly and downwardly angled portion with said flat" portion, thus stretching said flexible cover over said outer face.

3. The invention set forth in claim 2., further characterized by said spring clips being dimensioned so that when they are forced onto the flatportion with the cover held thereby against the upper and lower sides of said flat portion, the clips force said cover close to the juncture of said fiat and angled portions and in doing so serve to tension said cover and cause it to snugly engage said member. 4. In a window cornice construction, a bracketmeans comprising'an attaching section having a short upper leg and a longer lower leg that is slotted, and a cornice-receiving-section having an upper relatively short upper' leg and a longer lower leg, said longer lower legs being adapted to be fixed together in adjusted position, adjusting meansfor so fixing said lower legs together, a plate carried by said shorter legs and having edge flanges extending outwardly from one face of the plate, the other face being flat, and a lamp carried by said plate and extending from the flat face thereof in a position to be disposed between said shorter legs, said plate and lamp being invertible so that the plate flanges may be disposed on the lower legs and span said adjusting means.

5. In a Window cornice construction; a supporting bracket including an attaching section having a relative- 1y short upper leg and a relatively long lower log, a cornice-receiving bracket having a relatively short upper leg and a relatively longer lower leg disposed inoverlapping relation with said first mentioned lower leg, said lower legs being slotted, and an adjusting fastener extending through said slotted portions, the adjacent ends of said shorter legs being spaced apart, a supporting plate'carried on said upper shorter legs, and a lamp unit carried by said plate and disposed between saidshort upper legs.

6. In a window cornice construction, a supporting bracket including an attaching section having a relatively short upper leg and a relatively long lower leg, a cornicereceivin-g bracket having a relatively short upper leg-and a relatively longer lower leg disposed in'overlappingrelation' with said first mentioned lower leg, said lower legs being-slotted, an adjusting fastener extending through said slotted portions, the adjacent ends of said shorter legs being spaced apart, a supporting plate carried on said lowerjlonger legs, and a lamp unit carried by said plate on the upper side thereof.

7. Theinvention set forth in claim 6, further characterized by said plate having flanges engageable with said longer legs on opposite sides of said fastener so as to dispose said plate in a position clearing said fastener.

8. A window cornice comprising a sheet metal memher having an outer face and upper and lower marginal sections, the upper marginal section having an inwardly and downwardly angled portion terminating in a substantially flat portion disposed generally perpendicular to the plane of said outer face, a flexible cover extending over said outer face and over the edges of said marginal sections, means fixing the lower edges of said cover to said lower marginal section, and a plurality of flat spring clips passed over the inner edge of said flat portion and gripping the edge of the cover at upper and lower sides of said flart portion, said clips being dimensioned so that, when applied over the edge of said flat portion, the clips extend to the juncture of said inwardly and downwardly angled portion with said flat portion, thus stretching said flexible cover over said outer face.

9. A window cornice comprising a member having a generally flat face and upper and lower marginal sections, each extending laterally inwardly of said member and the lower marginal section having an upturned edge, the upper marginal section having a downwardly and in wardly angled portion terminating in an inner substantially flat portion, a flexible cover engaged over said upturned edge and extending across said outer face and across said downwardly and inwardly angled portion and then around and in contact with both faces of said inner flat portion, and cover tensioning means comprising one or more parts having a pair of wing sections embracing said inner flat portions and biased to move toward one another so as to press portions of said cover against both faces of said inner flat portion, movement of said cover tensioning parts toward the juncture of said downwardly and inwardly angled portion and said flat portion serving to stretch said cover while the marginal portions of the cover are held against both faces of said flat portions.

10. A window cornice having a main section andend sections, each section comprising a sheet member having a generally flat outer face and upper and lower marginal sections, each upper and lower marginal section on each of said main and end sections extending laterally inwardly of the associated section, each lower marginal section having an edge, the upper marginal section of each of said main and end sections having a downwardly and inwardly angled portion terminating in an inner substantially flat portion, a flexible decorative cover over the edges of said lower marginal sections and extending across the outer face and across the downwardly and inwardly angled portion and then around and in contact with both faces of the inner flat portion of each of said main and end sections, said decorative cover embracing both said main section and said end sections, cover attaching means comprising means attaching the lower portion of said decorative cover to the lower edges of the main and end sections, and cover tensioning means comprising one or more parts having a pair of flat wing portions biased to move toward each other so as to press portions of said cover toward both faces of said inner fiat portions of said main and end sections, movement of said cover tensioning parts toward the juncture of said downwardly and inwardly angled portion and said flat portion of each of said main and end sections serving to stretch said cover while the upper marginal portions of the cover are held against both faces of said flat portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,199,673 Donovan Sept. 26, 1916 2,293,662 Richardson Aug. 18, 1942 2,564,865 Turner et a1. Aug. 21, 1951 2,649,898 Qnackenbash Aug. 25, 1953 2,676,554 Wenger Apr. 27, 1954 2,725,607 Mummert Dec. 6, 1955 2,739,644 Brand Mar. 27, 1956 2,912,073 Sherron Nov. 10, 1959 

